Sugarcane press mud (SPM) is one of the potential agro-industrial by-products available in India and research exploring its utilisation in ruminant nutrition is scanty. In this direction, the present study evaluated the feasibility of dietary incorporation of SPM at graded levels in a feeding trial lasting 180 days to crossbred growing calves. A total of 18 numbers ofJersey crossbred growing calves were randomly distributed into three groups of six each based on comparable body weight (90.70±3.43Kg) and age (~5 Months) following a completely randomised design. The three dietary treatments were SP0, concentrate mixture without SPM; SP10, concentrate mixture comprising 10% SPM and SP20, concentrate mixture comprising 20% SPM on air-dry basis.The experimental calves were offered weighed quantity of designated isonitrogenous and isoenergetic concentrate mixture (coarse mash) along with ad libitum Co-FS 29 (chopped to 1-2 cm length) to fulfil nutrient requirements prescribed by Indian Council of Agriculture and a 6 days digestion trial was conducted towards end of the feeding trial. Representative pooled sub-sample of daily collected and acid preserved urine samples were analysed for purine derivatives to assess the microbial N supply to host animals. Blood samples were collected on 0, 60, 120,and 180 day of experiment to assess the metabolic status of growing calves. Results revealed no significant (P>0.05) differences in the intake and digestibility of basal nutrients, nitrogen balance, nutritive value of diets, average daily gain as well as feed conversion ratio among the treatment groups. Dietary Caretained by growing calves was significantly (P<0.05) higher in SP20 as compared to SP0. Urinary purine derivatives concentrations and serum biochemical parameters were did not differ (P>0.05) among the treatments. The cost of formulated concentrate mixture (Rs/day) was reduced (P<0.05) in SP20 (Rs.36.80) followed by SP10 (Rs.39.70) when compared to SP0 (Rs.42.44). These findings suggested that SPM could be safely fed up to 20% level in the concentrate mixture by substituting expensive traditional feed ingredients without negatively inflicting the performance of growing crossbred calves.

Vibrio is a major sea food pathogen which needs to be monitored regularly for devising appropriate control strategy to ensure food safety among sea food consumers and handlers. The present study aims to ascertain the occurrence of Vibrio spp. in seafood viz fishes, prawn/shrimps, crabs and water samples collected from various fish markets in and around Chennai city, Tamil Nadu, India. A total of 175 samples were screened, of which 106 (60.57%) samples were found positive by PCR targeting the 16s rRNA of Vibrio genus and all the positive isolates were subjected to toxR gene identification by Multiplex PCR for species level identification. At the species level 28(26.41%) were positive for Vibrio parahemolyticus (Vp), 6 (5.67%) positive for Vibrio Cholerae (Vc), 2 (1.89%) positive for Vibrio vulnificus (Vv). The presence of mixed vibrio species were also observed of which 56 samples (43.40%) revealed the presence of Vp and Vc, 7 (6.60%) with Vp and Vv, 3 (2.84%) with Vv and Vc and 14 samples with (13.20%) Vp, Vv and Vv. The present study identified the presence along with mixed Vibrio spp. in most of the samples tested from the study area.

The study was conducted on pregnant bitches at Small Animal Gynaecology Ward, Department of Clinics, Madras Veterinary College, Chennai- 600007, Tamil Nadu to evaluate the use of four-dimensional (4D) ultrasonography in staging embryonic and fetal development and for predicting the pregnancy outcome and to study the fetal anomalies and fetal resorptionin bitches. Twelve pregnant bitches of different breeds of 10 to 40 kg body weight were the experimental animals for the study. All the twelve pregnant bitches were subjected to both 2D and 4D ultrasound examinations at days 30, 40, 50 and 60 post breeding. The accuracy of gestational age prediction based on gestational sac diameter and head diameter using 4D ultrasound was studied and compared with 2D (two-dimensional) ultrasound. The present paper reports the use of 4D ultrasonography in diagnosing fetal activity, fetal anomalies and fetal resorption in bitches.  

The study was carried out to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation of boric acid on serum biochemical, tibia morphometry and mineralization of Japanese quail fed diets supplemented with boric acid at different levels of 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 ppm were prepared in a 5 x 3 design. A total of 150 day-old Japanese quail chicks were individually weighed and allotted randomly into five treatment groups with three replicates containing ten birds each, the birds were fed with experimental diets for a period of 5 weeks. At the end of the 5th week, two birds per replicate an average of six birds per treatment were slaughtered. Blood and tibia were collected accordingly. Serum calcium level significantly (p<0.05) increased but serum phosphorus, serum alkaline phosphatase, tibia morphometry and mineralization were not influenced by dietary boric acid supplementation. Results indicated that dietary boric acid level can be further increased in the quail diet for optimum bone mineralization.

           Curcumin derived from curcuma longa has been reported for its anti-cancer activity, but low bioavailability limits the therapeutic potential of curcumin. In this study curcumin and solid lipid nanocurcumin were tested for its therapeutic use and methotrexate was used as the standard drug. Methotrexate at a dose rate of 3.5mg/kg bodyweight and curcumin and nanocurcumin at a dose rate of 100 and 50 mg/kg bodyweight were evaluated in Dalton’s Ascites Lymphoma-bearing mice by assessing various hematobiochemical parameters. Hematological parameters were estimated using auto hematology analyzer and biochemical parameters with automatic serum biochemical analyzer.   Dalton’s Ascites Lymphoma-bearing mice showed reduction in RBC count and amount of Hb and increased leukocyte count with neutrophilia in comparison with normal control group. The tumor control group also showed elevated levels of ALT, AST and ALP while albumin and total protein levels decreased in serum. Treatment with curcumin and nanocurcumin showed significant increase in RBC and Hb count as well as decrease in WBC count. There was a significant decrease ALT, AST and ALP and increase in albumin and total protein levels. Precisely curcumin and nanocurcumin showed significant influence in the restoration of various hematobiochemical parameters.

An experiment was conducted to assess the growth performance of Madras Red sheep on hydroponic maize fodder replacing Bajra Napier grass Co(CN)-4 at 50 and 100 per cent level. Madras Red ram lambs of about 4 months of age (33 Nos.) were randomly divided into three groups. All the lambs of three groups were fed with concentrate feed @ 100 g/ day. In addition, Group-1 lambs were fed with 100 % Co(CN)-4; group-2 lambs were fed with 50 % Co(CN)-4 and 50 % hydroponic maize fodder and group – 3 lambs were fed with 100 % hydroponic maize fodder to meet out their dry matter and nutrient requirement. The trial was conducted for three months. During the trial period the data collected were initial body weight, monthly body weight, final body weight, feed intake, and cost of feeding. No significant differences were observed in the average weight gain, dry matter intake and feed conversion ratio among the treatment groups. Cost of feeding per kg live weight gain was found higher as the inclusion level of hydroponic fodder included increased in the ration. Hence, hydroponic fodder can be recommended when acute fodder deficiency occurred especially during summer.

Influenza viruses are potent pathologic agents that cause lethal respiratory disease worldwide. The nonstructural protein (NS1) protein of the influenza virus plays a vital role in the virus replication by the evasion of host innate immune system. NS1 protein was found to be conserved functionally in both Influenza A and B viruses. Recent studies revealed that the NS 1 protein of influenza A and B viruses binds to TRIM 25 ubiquitin ligase that is needed for the post-translation modification of the RIG-I and thereby prevents the interferon signaling cascade. Protacs are the bifunctional molecules that bind to the target protein and an ubiquitin ligase, enabling ubiquitination and destruction of the target protein through the Ubiquitin-Proteasome system. In this minireview, based on earlier studies we propose novel molecules designed to target NS1 protein in order to elicit an interferon response and NEDD4 ligase to prevent the degradation of interferon (IFN)-induced transmembrane protein 3 (IFITM3).

A biological trial was conducted with “TANUVAS Namakkal gold Japanese quail” to determine the optimum level of energy and lysine requirement on the production performance during the chick and grower phase. Seven hundred and twenty, straight-run, day-old chicks were randomly grouped in nine treatments with four replicates of twenty chicks each. Three levels of energy (2800, 2900 and 3000 kcal/kg) and three levels of lysine (1.2, 1.3 and 1.4%) were used in a 3 x 3 factorial design. Low energy (2800 kcal/kg) had significant (P<0.01) influence on the body weight, body weight gain, feed consumption and feed conversion ratio in the chick and grower phase. High (1.4%) lysine had significant (P<0.01) influence on the body weight, body weight gain in the chick phase. Low and medium lysine (1.2 and 1.3%) groups had significantly (P<0.05) better weight gain and feed conversion ratio. Low and high (1.2 and 1.4%) lysine levels recorded significantly (P<0.01) higher feed consumption during the grower phase.

A rare incidence of persistent hymen in a pregnant crossbred heifer is reported. Gynaeco-clinical and ultrasonographic examination of crossbred heifer brought with a history of straining and vaginal prolapse revealed presence of imperforate hymen with accumulated mucopurulent secretion. Circumferential resection of the hymen was performed by applying Foley’s catheter retraction. Seven days post-surgery, animal was diagnosed to be pregnant for about 30 days. Based on the circumstantial observations the case might be considered as imperforate hymen with hydrocolpos.

A study on effect of supplementary feeding of creep feed in Pattanam sheep lambs was conducted in its breeding tract of Tamil Nadu, India. Total number of 90 Pattanam sheep lambs at the age of one month were selected in the farmers flock and divided into three groups each comprising of 30 lambs, assigned to the following treatments and reared upto three months. In T-1 (control) 30 lambs were maintained by routine feeding management by farmers, in T-2 30 lambs were fed with concentrate supplementation at the rate of 50 gms per lamb per day along with routine feeding management by farmers and in T-3 30 lambs were reared by concentrate feeding at the rate of 50 gms per lamb per day with mineral supplementation through salt lick block along with routine feeding management by farmers. Fortnightly body weight (kg) and average daily gain (gms) was recorded to assess the influence of supplementation on growth rate of lambs in farmers flock. At start of the trial the overall body weight of lambs was 8.45 ± 0.91 which was non-significant. Fortnightly body weight was 9.78 ± 2.21, 10.98 ± 1.54, 11.77± 1.73 and 12.09 ± 1.73 in first, second, third and fourth fortnights respectively. Between groups significant difference (P< 0.05) in body weight gain was observed in first fortnight and highly significant difference (P< 0.01) was observed during subsequent fortnight. Average daily gain (g) was recorded as 88.67, 80.00, 52.67 and 26.00 during first, second, third and fourth fortnight, respectively. It can be observed that the lambs under T3 had superior ADG followed by the lambs under T2 and T1.